What Are Other Major Benefits That Can Be Selected?
In addition to promising to pay your nursing care bills,
companies offer various features
to make their policies more attractive than the
competition. Each company has its own labels and
definitions. Read the policy carefully to be sure of
what you're buying. Outlined here are various features
that are offered by some companies.
·Hospice Care
Hospice care
is continuous care for the terminally ill. It may be
provided ina
hospice facility or by professionals in your home.
·Ambulance
Some
policies pay a limited amount to cover an ambulance ride
to or from a nursing home or hospital.
·Bed
Reservation
If you have
to leave the nursing home and go to a hospital, you can
make sure you have a
nursing home bed if you return within a short period
(e.g., 10 days).
·Prescription
Drugs
Some
policies will pay part or all of your drug expenses while
you're in a nursing home.
·Respite Care
Respite care
gives an in-home caregiver a short vacation. It pays for a
temporary substitute (a health care professional) for your spouse or
others who regularly
take care of you at home.
·Medical
Equipment
Some policies
may pay for equipment that relieves your need for physical
assistance. Some policies require that this would help you remain at home.
·Alternative Care
If your
health qualifies you for nursing home care, the policy may
agree to pay for care somewhere else as well.
·Discounts
You may get a
discount if you and your spouse both buy - of course, you'll
still pay more to
insure two people than one. Also, nonsmokers will generally
pay less for any kind of health insurance.
Manulife's new Shared Coverage option provides for a joint
policy sharing the total expense allowance.
